Rev. Errol Leslie and Wife Kaye Delivers Soul Stirring Jamaican And Caribbean Style Gospel To
Central Florida
Errol and Kaye Leslie are Jamaican citizens now living permanently in the
United States. Errol is pastor of the
Palm Bay United Methodist Church in
Palm Bay, Florida while Kaye has worked in the banking industry. They first moved to the
U.S. in August of 1995 when they were appointed to serve the Community United Methodist church in
Byfield, Massachusetts. After three years of ministry, they were transferred to the Cape Cod area of
Massachusetts.
Kaye and Errol are both writers and composers and have sung in almost every parish in their home country of
Jamaica. Now based in Palm Bay in Central Florida the Leslie's have brought their Gospel Reggae and Caribbean style gospel project to a receptive community that continues to be inspired by the music of the Reverend Errol Leslie and his wife Kaye.
They were both involved in a very successful music program at the church in Byfield where Errol taught some of the young people to play several musical instruments. as a result of this effort, some of these same young people were playing along with the organist in accompanying the congregational hymns on a regular basis. The Leslie's were later transferred to the Swift Memorial United Methodist Church in Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, where the music program at the church saw additional instruments such as trumpets, trombone, cornet, saxophone, violin, tuba, and flute being added to the worship experience from time to time.
Kaye accompanied the youth and children's choir and together they worked out some contemporary styles of music which they used to further enhance the worship experience.
The Leslies have also sung in
Massachusetts,
New York,
New Hampshire,
Maine,
Connecticut,
Washington State,
Florida,
Rhode Island and
New Jersey. In 1998, they released their first album entitled "In His Time" and after a ten year break during which they focused on raising their two daughters, they have now released two more albums entitled "I've Got Joy" and "New Life" now available in several gospel music stores and gift shops. The albums may also be purchased online at www.cdbaby.com. Errol is presently working on a unique project which he describes as a "soul-o-acapella". This is a play on words as he is laying his own voice over voice to create a harmony which will sound like an all male acapella choir. This album will be available in the Fall or Winter of 2010.
Errol and Kaye are available to do fund raiser concerts for adult or senior groups, youth groups as well as to share their music at wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations or at dinners. The entire family will have you rocking and asking for more.
Prior the their migration to the
U.S., the Leslie's served in ministry at Methodist churches in their home country of
Jamaica. One of the special gifts which they have brought to the wider pastoral ministry is a specialized music ministry which has blessed the lives of many persons who have heard them sing at concerts, in worship services, at conventions or rallies as well as at weddings and funeral services.
Prior to their marriage and the start of their joint music ministry, both Kaye and Errol were involved in separate music ministries. Errol was born and raised in
Westmoreland,
Jamaica and was appointed a full time Elder in the
United Methodist Church in 1978.
When they were united in marriage, God united two lives that had been involved in the world of gospel music at different levels and at different places. They had both been involved in singing and playing with various music groups and at different stages; were both leaders/directors of separate gospel groups even though they did not know that they were going to meet each other. Their marriage brought together musical gifts and talent which have resulted in the establishment of a musical pair that has shared a rich variety of gospel styles with very receptive audiences and congregations.
Errol and Kaye have done many full length concerts all over their home country where they were kept pretty busy as they shared in a number of churches and to a wide variety of audiences. One of the unique factors about their music is that they provide their own live instrumentation using such instruments as the guitar, keyboard, harmonica, violin, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, flute and the accordion. Their repertoire of rhythm and style ranges from the Jamaican reggae and eastern
Caribbean calypso to the American Rock and Roll as well as traditional European hymns.
Whereas they have included some of the popular gospel songs in their repertoire, they have both written lyrics and music as well as done arrangements for both traditional and original songs. They have regularly done reggae arrangements to some of the traditional gospel hymns and as such, their man style may be described as "reggae gospel". They have received standing ovations to many of these songs, including their reggae arrangement of "We shall overcome" which they have done at the annual Martin Luther King breakfast.
The release of their album, IN HIS TIME, was a
high point in their ministry. They subsequently released "I've got Joy" and "New Life" in 2008.
During high school, Errol was extremely popular as a gifted musician and sang on the school choir of his alma mater,
Mannings School. His guitar artistry was always in demand thus commanding performances at Church concerts; these were frequent and were always well received. Errol was given the name "Jim Reeves" as he would sing many of this legendry artiste's songs at functions that brought standing ovations on several occasions.
Errol also taught as a pre-trained teacher at
Frome Secondary school in Westmoreland and started an acclaimed program which highlighted both music and drama. The Frome secondary school arts and performing group did several concerts in and around the parish of Westmoreland and was the pride of the parish.
Kaye was born and raised in
St. Thomas,
Jamaica but attended high school at Wolmer's Girls' High School in
Kingston. She sang in the school choir and participated in joint operas shared by Wolmer's Boys school as well as
St. Georges College. She also participated in the arts program of several churches which included writing and co-writing of songs for church pantomimes.
Kaye also sang and played for church singing groups. During the 1980's and 1990's, she was assistant director and keyboardist for "Generation 2", a gospel singing group which operated out of the national "Youth For Christ"(YFC) office, and which appeared in several concerts including the famous "Genesis" series, which was and still is among the most popular annual Reggae Gospel Concerts in Jamaica.
The Reverend Errol Leslie and his wife Kaye have brought about a new awareness to congregations across the
United States, by exposing them to a wide repertoire of soul stirring
Caribbean gospel music. This has also impacted his own
United Methodist Church members, who over the years have been made aware of this history of songs and hymns they sing in and out of church.
A church organist who worked with Rev. Leslie for eight years describes him as being inspiring and a blessing to everyone who knows him. She points out that Rev. Leslie's service is less formal than regular services, as a lot of emphasis is placed on more music and more praise choruses. The services also include the use of non-traditional instruments such as tambourines, shakers, guitar, saxophone and clarinet.
This energy filled service presents a deep spiritual connection with everyone present, and especially among
Caribbean nationals who are able to connect with the many profound praise and worship and spiritual songs that over the years have kept body, soul and mind intact during many trying situations.
In recent times their teenage daughters, Kayrol and Lorre-Kaye, have joined them on stage and this gives an even fuller sound to their music. Both girls do back-up as well as lead vocals and are also accomplished keyboard players. They are presently studying classical piano and violin but also do their share of music composition. Among their special gifts is the element of theater and drama which they bring to the ministry.
